He used to watch his Pompey heroes wheel away to celebrate after scoring – and now Marlon Pack knows exactly how they feel.
The boyhood Blues fans opened his account for the club in a 2-2 draw with Ipswich that drew 2022 to a close.
And his first goal was netted in some style, with a free-kick pinging off the inside of the post before finding the net.
It was a moment to savour for Pack, who had been advised to take on more set-piece responsibilities.
The midfielder said: “My son came to the Exeter game and gave me a bit of stick for not taking the free-kick there.
“I think I’m probably too unselfish at times and there were a couple of shouts of ‘I think you’re going to score tonight’ when we were signing autographs beforehand.
“It was a long time coming for me and I felt like I’d gone close on a few previous occasions this season.
"I’m normally quite low-key when I score a goal, but that certainly wasn’t going to happen on this occasion!"
“So it was an unbelievable feeling to come over to where my family were sitting in the South Stand to celebrate.
“I’m normally quite low-key when I score a goal, but that certainly wasn’t going to happen on this occasion!”
Pompey were on course for victory against the second-placed Tractor Boys, only for Conor Chaplin to strike late on.
Pack said: “There was a lot of frustration because we looked good for large periods of the game against a top side.
“We had to accept their quality and they’re up there for a reason, with excellent individuals and they play some nice football.
“But we handled them well and limited Ipswich to very few chances, while looking dangerous at the other end.
“We took the lead and then did it again, so it felt like it was going to be a turning point for us. When things aren’t going well, however, they tend to punch you when you’re down.
“So we are dejected, but when we clear our heads and watch it back, we’ll see a solid foundation to take into facing Charlton on New Year’s Day.”